Hunt, Stanley Clifford

Stanley Clifford Hunt is the youngest son of master carver, Henry Hunt and currently works at his studio in Fort Rupert, BC. His grandfather, Mungo Martin is widely credited with saving Kwakiutl art from extinction in the early part of the century. Mungo Martin also provided the link with tradition for the family; from his songs sung around the kitchen table to the extravagant ceremonies of the potlatch. His father, Henry Hunt, was a renowned master carver who worked at the Royal British Columbia Provincial Museum in Victoria for many years. His older brothers, Tony and Richard Hunt, are among the leading artists in the Kwakiutl form.

Stan was born in Victoria in 1954 while his father was working for the Royal British Columbia museum. At the age of ten, Stan danced as a Hamatsa for the first time, it was then that he understood the importance to learn and acknowledge the rituals of the Kwakiutl people. When Stan was younger he carved toy boats and canoes. In 1976 he went to see his father Henry in his carving shed and asked if he could be a carver. His father replied, "The first thing you have to do is make your own tools." With the support, encouragement and guidance from his father he spent the next three years learning knife techniques and carving plaques for the Victoria tourist trade.

He also assisted his father in the carving of six totem poles. Stan's interpretation of the Kwakiutl style is starkly traditional. Traditional tools, the adze, curved knife and straight knife are used. The images are original but with traditional roots in stories of the Kwakiutl people; images passed down from one generation to the next.

Stan works as a freelance artist, creating pieces for private commissions and gallery's. He spends numerous hours in his studio teaching young artists what he learned from his father. He has great patience and is a mentor to those who work with him and takes his responsibility seriously, ensuring that the apprentices remain dedicated to quality and remain traditional within the cultural boundaries while expressing their own artistic talent. Stan has completed several large projects including a 42' 10" totem pole for Buenos Aires, Argentina, it will stand at the Canada Place. The pole was raised on July 1st, 2012. The crew travelled to Sunnylands Rancho Mirage in April 2012 to rededicate a totem pole that was refurbished in 2011. A emotional journey, acknowledging his father and his brother Tony, who carved this totem pole in 1973. In the summer of 2008 Stan completed three foot totem poles for a private commission in Australia. He also carved a 15' totem, a 6' totem and a 4 1/2' totem that will be installed on a 197' yacht, a first of this type of project for him, but he is confident that the concept will be well received in the yachting community.

Whale Portrait Mask by Stanley Clifford Hunt

Killer Whale Portrait Mask by Master artist Stanley Clifford Hunt from the Kwakiulth First Nation

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Dzunukwa, Wild Woman by Master carver Stanley C. Hunt

Wild Woman by Stanley C. Hunt

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Pukwis, Wild Man of the Sea by Stanley C. Hunt

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Moon Amulette / pendant with old russian trade beads by Stan Hunt

Moon Amulette / pendant with old Russian Trade beads by Stan Hunt from the Kwakiulth First Nation

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